Milk thistle
Silybum marianum
also known as Mary thistle, Holy thistle, St. Mary's thistle
A spiky thistle whose seeds yield silymarin, a flavonolignan complex used to support liver cell integrity and protect against hepatic toxins.
- Supports liver cell membrane integrity
- Supports glutathione synthesis in the liver
- Used as adjunct in chronic liver conditions
- Antioxidant protection of hepatocytes
- Studied for fatty liver disease
- Used as treatment for amatoxin (death cap) mushroom poisoning
- Approved by Commission E for liver support
Active in Silymarin (silybin, silydianin, silychristin), Flavonolignans.
Possible cross-reactivity with Asteraceae allergy
May lower blood sugar — caution with diabetes medication
Use caution in hormone-sensitive conditions — mild estrogenic effects
Insufficient data in pregnancy and nursing — avoid
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